Mark Sanchez had a volatile season to say the least. His final numbers (196-of-364, 53.8-percent, for 2,444 yards, 12 TDs, 20 INTS, 63.0 rating) were proof of that. Fifteen of those INTs came in four games, all losses. Once Sanchez learned to protect the ball, though, the team prospered. While winning seven of their last eight entering the AFC title game, Sanchez was a big part of the Jets’ surge. In the playoffs, he was at his best, completing 60.2 percent of his passes with 4 TDs, 2 INTs and a 92.7 rating. Backup Kellen Clemens (13-of-26, 125 yards) did an admirable job managing the one game he started when Sanchez was out with a knee injury.

GRADE: C

RUNNING BACKS

Thomas Jones followed up his ’08 season winning the AFC rushing title to run for 1,402 yards and 14 TDs on 331 carries, a 4.5-yard average. But Jones’ production waned late in the season due to wear and tear and a bruised knee. In his final seven games, Jones rushed for more than 100 yards only once (Dec. 27 against the Colts) and had a modest total of 451 yards, 5 TDs and a 3.3-yard average. Part of that drop in production, though, had to do with the emergence of rookie Shonn Greene, who finished with 540 yards, 2 TDs and a 5-yard average. In the final seven games, Greene rushed for 532 yards and a 5.5-yard average. FB Tony Richardson is an unsung part of the run blocking that made the Jets the top-ranked rushing offense in the NFL. Leon Washington’s season was cut short by a broken leg after he had 331 rushing yards and 15 catches through seven games.

GRADE: A

RECEIVERS

Jerricho Cotchery (57 catches, 821 yards, 3 TDs) was Sanchez’ most clutch target, particularly in the playoffs, making five catches for 102 yards in the AFC title game. Braylon Edwards, acquired in mid-season and figuring to be the big-play target the team missed, was hit-and-miss, making too many drops and not enough big plays. He finished with 35 catches, a 15.5-yard average and four TDs. After Cotchery and Edwards, there was a huge fall-off. David Clowney (14-191, 1 TD) never became the deep threat he promised to be. Brad Smith, more of a hybrid player in the “Wildcat” formation, had his best season with more with his legs as an option runner (207 yards and a TD on 18 carries). He caught only seven passes.

GRADE: C

TIGHT ENDS

Dustin Keller (45-522, 2 TDs) became more of a force in the postseason, making TD catches in all three playoff games. Known only as a pass-catching TE, he did improve his blocking. Backup Ben Hartsock, who had one catch for a 2-yard TD, had an awful stretch in midseason with some killer mistakes, including a holding penalty in OT in the home loss to the Bills that negated a play that had put the Jets in chip-shot game-winning FG position. He was, however, an extension of the offensive line as a solid blocker.

GRADE: C-plus

OFFENSIVE LINE

The starting five has played in an NFL-long 36 consecutive games together, including playoffs and dating back to last season. They’ve become the NFL’s best unit in the NFL, helping the Jets lead the NFL in rushing attempts (607) and yards (2,756). They averaged 4.5-yards per carry and had 21 rushing TDs. The big run blockers were Gs Brandon Moore and Alan Faneca as well as C Nick Mangold. Ts D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Damien Woody helped protect Sanchez (26 sacks). Backups Wayne Hunter and Robert Turner were used as extra blocking TEs often and made big contributions in the rushing attack. Faneca, Mangold and Ferguson are all on the Pro Bowl team.

GRADE: A

DEFENSIVE LINE

An unheralded group that was led by DEs Shaun Ellis (56 tackles, 7 for losses and 6 ½ sacks) and Marques Douglas (77 tackles, 6 for losses). After dominant NT Kris Jenkins (15 tackles, 7 for losses) was lost for the season with a knee injury, Sione Pouha (61 tackles), Mike DeVito (37 tackles) and Howard Green (37 tackles) all filled in admirably. In fact, the Jets’ numbers against the run improved after Jenkins was hurt, showing how well the trio played as the defense improved during the year.

GRADE: B-plus

LINEBACKERS

David Harris led the team with 142 tackles, had 5½ sacks, two INTs and two forced fumbles and was named as an alternate to the Pro Bowl. Bart Scott, brought over from Baltimore, was productive with 107 tackles, 12 for losses, and was a leader. Calvin Pace, despite missing the first four games because of a suspension, had 67 tackles, a team-leading 8 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. Bryan Thomas did the dirty work, often taking on two players to mess up plays and he finished with 67 tackles, 7 for losses, 2 sacks, a forced fumbled and 2 recoveries. Disappointing second year for Vernon Gholston, who disappeared after starting the first four games for Pace and was a non-factor.

GRADE: A-minus

SECONDARY

Best overall unit in the league, as evidenced by the Jets No. 1 ranking in pass defense. Opposing QBs threw only 8 TDs against the Jets in the regular season and had a 58.8 passer rating against them. The team’s disruptive blitzing pass rush is a contributor to that, but the biggest reason for it was Pro Bowl CB Darrelle Revis, who shut everyone down he faced, making 6 INTs, had an NFL-high 34 passes defensed and 72 tackles. Lito Sheppard was up and down opposite Revis. S Jim Leonhard, another import from Baltimore, was like a coach on the field and had 95 tackles, 9 for losses, 2½ sacks, an INT and a forced fumble. S Kerry Rhodes started terribly and came on late with 3 INTs, 13 passes defensed and 62 tackles. S Eric Smith (34 tackles, an INT), Donald Strickland (25 tackles, 2 sacks) and Dwight Lowery (3 INTs, 32 tackles) were all a part of the process. S James Ihedigbo (2 sacks, 1 forced fumble) also made some plays.

GRADE: A

SPECIAL TEAMS

This wasn’t the team strength it figured to be. The Jets survived the loss of Washington on kickoff returns thanks to Brad Smith, who averaged 31 yards per return and took one back 106 yards for a TD. The Jets’ kickoff coverage was a huge disappointment, allowing 24.1 yards per on 70 returns, slightly better than their own 24-yard average. Cotchery did an admirable job on punt returns with a 10.3-yard average, but was never a dynamic threat to take one all the way. Punt coverage was OK, allowing 8.8 yards per. Ihedigbo led the team with 26 coverage tackles, Eric Smith had 25 and blocked a punt that Brad Smith recovered. Wallace Wright had 22 special teams tackles and Brad Smith had 20.

GRADE: C-plus

KICKERS

K Jay Feely had an outstanding season, making 30-of-36 FG attempts in the regular season, but he had his worst game in the AFC title game, missing from 44 and 52 yards. He finished with 122 points and his kickoffs were solid. P Steve Weatherford averaged 42 yards gross and a 36.7-yard net and put 25 inside the 20. The Jets became the best team in the league with fake punts. Brad Smith connected with Eric Smith on one fake punt pass. Weatherford ran twice for 42 yards.

GRADE: B

COACHING

The job Rex Ryan did has been well documented. He pushed virtually every right motivational button, had his players believing from the first team meeting on and built the league’s No. 1 defense in one year. Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine and secondary coach Dennis Thurman, both of whom came with Ryan from Baltimore, were both a big part of building this thing. Ryan’s bravado was backed up by the way he coached and let things fly, unafraid to fail and his team played that way. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, after some rough patches early on, did a fine job developing Sanchez. With the help of Ryan, who implemented the color-code system to help with decision making, they finally got Sanchez to take care of the ball. For special teams coach Mike Westhoff, it wasn’t his best year, but he still remains among the best at his craft.